Top 4 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Programs

Northern California Public Media is proud to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Join us for these four extraordinary stories of loss, hope, bigotry, and freedom throughout the month of May.

 

The program examines a key moment in American/Chinese history from the perspectives of the children of the "Doolittle Raiders" and the Chinese villagers who aided in their rescue. In doing so, the film explores how a shared event can be remembered in different ways, and what lessons this history may hold for today.

 

The registration and incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans during WWII was one of the worst violations of constitutional rights in American history. The US government lied about the threat of espionage to justify the incarceration. Featuring actor George Takei and many others who were incarcerated, the film reveals the silence that surrounded the incarceration and the importance of speaking up against today’s travel ban. Knowing our history is the first step in making sure we do not repeat it. This film is a cautionary tale for these times.

 

This is the story of a group of Japanese Americans and their incarceration by the US government during World War II. It also explores the long-term effects of this incarceration and the phenomenon of intergenerational trauma. More than 40 camp survivors and descendants bring an unparalleled immediacy and urgency to the story.

 

Alternative Facts: The Lies of Executive Order 9066 tells the untold story of false information and political influences which led to the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans. The film also examines the parallels to the targeting of groups today and similar attempts to abuse the powers of the government.